Pada has made Canada her home since 1964; she holds a M.F.A. in Dance from Toronto’s York University.

Pada has had an extensive career as a bharatanatyam soloist with more than 1,000 performances in dance festivals worldwide. She has the distinction of being the first South Asian artist to receive this award.

Pada said: "I am thrilled for myself and for the South Asian community whose art work has been recognized in Canada by this award." Pada, who lost her husband and two daughters in the 1985 Kanishka bombing, said, "The award couldn't come at a better time when we have established ourselves as exponents of Indian classical dance in Canada. The news has come when we are in Chennai to give 11 performances and we are excited because our work has been appreciated."

"Lata Pada's artistry, choreographic versatility and visionary leadership have enabled her to establish South Asian classical and contemporary bharatanatyam as a world art form in Canada. In addition to performance, her commitment to the arts in Canada has engaged her in a range of professional and community-based initiatives both nationally and regionally," said Sampradaya board president Margaret Manson. "We congratulate Lata on receiving the Order of Canada, in recognition of her significant contributions to the cultural life of Canadians."

Founded in 1990, Sampradaya Dance Creations is committed to showcasing bharatanatyam as a world art form that explores contemporary, innovative and diverse movement styles and themes. Pada has fostered and advanced the formation of the South Asian Dance Alliance in Canada and the production of the 2009 DanceIntense conference in Toronto with SAMPAD, the Birmingham, England-based development agency for South Asian Arts.

Her choreography has been featured at the Canada Dance Festival, Luminato – Toronto Festival of Arts & Creativity and the Harbourfront Centre's World Routes Festival.

He was a member of the teams that performed the first total artificial heart implant in Canada and the first implantation of the thoratec left ventricular assist device in the country. 

In 1991, he moved to Edmonton as director, division of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, University of Alberta, and surgeon-in-chief, cardiovascular surgery, University of Alberta Hospital. In 1995, he became the regional director of the Cardiac Sciences Program and in January 2006, he was named the director of development and external affairs for the Edmonton Heart Institute.

Koshal has received several gold medals including from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. He received the distinguished service award from the Canadian Physicians of Indian Heritage. He was their only award recipient in 2008. 

His message for South Asians: "We are fortunate to be living in North America where there are lots of avenues for prevention, for diagnosis and treatment. The important thing is to utilise them. There's a bit of self-denial amongst our people: 'No, no I can't have any cardiac complication.' If you have any problem, please get yourself checked early and treated.

"We focus on prevention and the prevention results would manifest in a few decades. We can improve our chances of a healthier life but please get yourself treated and then go for secondary prevention," he said in an interview with Rediff India Abroad's Ajit Jain.

Photo Courtesy:  Ottawa Citizen

M. Azhar Ali Khan, President of the Ottawa Muslim Association, a former member of the Ottawa Citizen's editorial board and immigration-board member, was one of the 42 people named as Member of the Order of Canada. He was recognised "for his contributions as a leader in the Muslim community and as a journalist and volunteer dedicated to strengthening ties between people of diverse backgrounds and faiths." Khan, a Canadian of Pakistani origin, is quoted saying in the Ottawa Citizen, "I'm very honoured and flattered. I've received the Order of Ontario and the Queen's gold medal award, but this obviously is the top."

M. Azhar Ali Khan, President of the Ottawa Muslim Association, a former member of the Ottawa Citizen's editorial board and immigration-board member, was one of the 42 people named as Member of the Order of Canada. He was recognised "for his contributions as a leader in the Muslim community and as a journalist and volunteer dedicated to strengthening ties between people of diverse backgrounds and faiths."

Khan, a Canadian of Pakistani origin, is quoted saying in the Ottawa Citizen, "I'm very honoured and flattered. I've received the Order of Ontario and the Queen's gold medal award, but this obviously is the top."

He said he is grateful that he had the chance to live in such a great country as Canada.

"I'm just overwhelmed that Canada appreciated whatever little work I did" in helping keep Canada a great country or even improving it, he said.